"We are a provincial city on the cusp of being a significant urban area. How to deal with that growth is something people are starting to talk about," he said.
"How we match our expectations for services with our desire to not have rates increases is going to be a real issue for the community."
Voter turnout in local elections has been falling nationwide since the 1980s. Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has launched a campaign to encourage people to participate, and hopes to lift turnout to above 50 per cent - which has not been done since 1998.
LGNZ president Lawrence Yule said the Vote 16 target was a "stretch" but he hoped the campaign could convince people to help shape their community.
"Their ability to vote can make a difference in what happens in their neighbourhood, and how their city, district or region is led," Mr Yule said. "A lot of people that are not interested may take it for granted, but this is a special right you have to vote."
Eight councils had applied to offer online voting, and although Mr Yule said similar trials hadn't improved turnout, it was about "future proofing" the country.
"As people do more and more things online, they are less and less reliant on the paper based system," he said.
Mr Yule said declining voter turnouts was a global phenomenon. Internationally, New Zealand's local election turnout percentage was higher than both Australia and England, but considerably lower than some countries, including Denmark and Norway.
Mr Yule said the chance to shape the community should be taken with both hands.
"This makes a difference. It takes a small amount of your time. Get to know some of the policies and candidates and exercise your vote. Some countries don't have this luxury, we need to use it."